Real Party: Nesting Baby Shower

If you've been reading this blog for the last few months you know that my friend Lindsay and I are both expecting.  Our high school girlfriends threw us a joint baby shower earlier this summer.  And it was amazing! I'm so excited to finally be able to share the pictures! 

My friend Megan made the adorable invites, which set the scene for the nesting theme. 

There was a banner for each of our babies.

The food table was gorgeous.  

My most favorite detail was the 2 bird houses painted for each of us and hung above the food table.  Aren't they adorable? 

Lunch was tea sandwiches and assorted salads.

Our friends also baked up a storm!

Vanilla cupcakes, bird nest sugar cookies, grapefruit sandwich cookies, lemon tarts were just a few of the desserts.

Around the house were flowers, birdhouses, and bird nests.  

 Linds and I opened amazing gifts for our baby girls from friends and family...

...and then played the best game I've ever played at a baby shower.  With the help of our friends Deb and Leslie, our husbands were secretly interviewed on camera about our pregnancies and parenthood.  We had to guess how they would answer. It was hilarious!

The boys were very good sports. :)

 Party favors were individually packaged macaroon cookies from one of my girlfriends' favorite bakeries. 

Lindsay and I with our hostesses: Linnea, Marci, Megan, and Morgan.  Love those girls. :)

Thank you so much for the amazing shower! I could not have asked for anything more. 

Photos by Morgan McGinn

Real Party: Yellow & Blue Baby Shower

My friends Katie, Samantha and Leslie recently threw a baby shower for their friend Julie.

The goal was for the party to be more sophisticated, and less "baby".  There were a few little touches that were nods to the safari-themed nursery, but it wasn't over the top, which suited Julie's sophisticated style. I think these hostesses did a great job! 

Party poms were used over the food and drink stations.  Katie made stunning flower arrangements, which included lemons (one of my favorite looks!)

Lunch was enjoyed over several long tables in the backyard. 

Katie made little paper napkin rings.  

 The cute little dessert table included cake stands that Katie made, inspired by this tutorial.  Katie's husband helped her to make these, using his router to cut the top and bottom pieces. I know I'm impressed!  (A bride has already asked to borrow them!)

Desserts included cake bites, cookies, and cupcakes. 

Tags had subtle little safari animal graphics.  

Katie made cupcake toppers with safari animals, L for baby Luke, and blue and yellow graphics.  

There were a few activities set up for guests.  Samantha made signs to go at each one.

One was to write a message to baby Luke in a Curious George book.  This book was perfect to use because of the safari theme, but also because its cover is bright yellow.

There was also a game where guests guessed how many animal crackers were in a jar. 

 Lastly, guests decorated onsies and bibs for the new baby and then strung them on a line in the backyard.

 My husband would love this one!  :)

Party favors were animal crackers tied with yellow ribbon a coordinating tag. 

Congratulations Julie! 

Great party Katie, Samantha, and Leslie! 

(Thank you Katie for sharing your pictures!)

Party rentals were from Danny Thomas Party Rentals. 

To see some of Katie's other parties, check out Christmas Dinner, Superbowl Party,  and The Chili-Cook off. 

Monsters Inc. Cake

I was asked to make birthday treats for Jack's 3rd Birthday by his Grandma. 

His party his tomorrow & I spent the morning making cupcakes and a little cake for him. 

I know how we all feel about character parties...but Jack really wanted Mike from Monsters Inc. on his cake. Who is a Grandma to argue with that? :)

Happy Birthday Jack!

I love any excuse to play with my cake decorating stuff -- such a nice way to start a weekend if you ask me!

Real Party: Monkey Man’s 2nd Birthday

My friend’s son recently had his 2nd birthday. His party was a tribute to his most favorite animal: monkeys!

Everyday Celebrating is a blog that I read regularly. She recently did a whole post of inspiration for monkey themed parties. Check it out here.

I was in charge of the cake for the monkey bash. I was happy with how my creation turned out.

The directions for the cake are from Martha Stewart’s website, see here. I followed her decorating instructions pretty closely.

I didn’t use her recipe for the cake however. I used a yellow box mix, and added two small ripe bananas to the mix. Yum! It had just a hint of banana flavor, and a very moist texture. I would definitely do that again, even if it wasn’t for a monkey party. I baked the cake in a Pyrex bowl for about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

I also made chocolate and banana cupcakes. What’s a monkey party without banana cupcake toppers?

And the final display was pretty darn cute.

Happy Birthday Sammy!

All gone. I guess they liked it. :)